I came across an interesting article the other day called Are You Wearing the Right Label? It’s intended for photographers but I thought that potential clients could benefit equally from understanding some of the terms being used to describe styles of photography these days.

CUSTOM photography
Ultimately custom photography is all about choice and experience (as in THE experience). It’s about devoted attention with strong strong emphasis on detail. Custom photographers are also known as boutique studios, offering a range of products and unparalleled service. Think Lexus vs. Hyundai or Nordstrom vs. WalMart. Custom photographers often show only the final fully edited images-color corrected with blemishes and under-eye circles removed. Custom photography should always have the client and their experience in mind.

CLASSIC photography
A mix of traditional posing often coupled with strong attention to clothing and style choices. Usually presented with post processing but not as a defining characteristic of the photographer’s style.

CONTEMPORARY photography
Fresh and unique approach to traditional portraiture; it is viewed as more ground breaking in it’s approach to finding new and exciting ways to capture subjects… Another trademark of contemporary photography is the utilization of strong, clean close ups… There is often a liberal use of refined but controlled Photoshop processing, as well. Contemporary Photographers highlight the importance of story telling and emotion. (excerpts from Tamara Lackey – Children’s Portrait Photography)

PHOTOJOURNALISTIC photography
Documentary style of photography whose principal goal is to capture the moments without any outside intervention. In the truest sense, photojournalistic is not posed, but rather capturing the raw emotions and relationships of the subject(s).

LIFESTYLE photography
Photos that don’t look posed, “in the moment” type photographs that are somewhat staged in terms of location, activities, emotions. (source)

Glimpses of Soul Photography provides custom, contemporary, lifestyle photography, so a number of these definitions are fitting. In most cases, sessions aren’t purely photojournalistic because there is some direction (except for newborn photography, where it’s ALL posing and creating) and I am generally interacting with the children or families. However, if you’d like to do a “day in the life” type session where I’m a complete fly on the wall, documenting your family’s daily life, I’d LOVE to do that as well.

If you’re looking for a photographer, it’s important to find one whose style matches your vision. If you’re looking for a more classic type portrait (think fancy dresses or white dress shirts, sitting nicely against a black or faux-scenic background), don’t pick a photographer who normally holds their sessions in a local park or vice-versa. Take some time, do some research, understand the terms and find the person meant for you!